The East Olds Dairy Farmers Study Club invites all milk producers in Alberta to see new robotic milk equipment Jan. 15 at The Pomeroy Inn & Suites in Olds (Hwy 27/2A).

A few years ago, Shawn Koopmans of Picton, Ontario, made his first purchase of Milking Shorthorn genetics by purchasing a group of embryos from a top brood cow in the U.S. While he knew he was investing in top quality genetics from the top of the breed, he could not have expected that first venture in Milking Shorthorns to yield a National Show Grand Champion and now an All-Time Single Lactation Milk and Protein Champion in the same cow.

The British Columbia dairy industry came together in Vancouver for the 5th annual BC Dairy Industry Conference to learn, network and socialize with fellow dairy farmers and industry affiliates. The event took place Nov. 27-29 at the Fairmont Pacific Rim Hotel and Vancouver Convention Centre, bringing together 500 people over three days.

Chinook Dairy Service (CDS) has been selected as the authorized BouMatic (BM) dealer for southern British Columbia. CDS has been representing BM for more than 35 years.

Courtney Jordan of Beausejour, Manitoba, and Madison Dyment of Burgessville, Ontario, were named this year's first-place winners in the 28th annual Canadian Young Speakers for Agriculture (CYSA) competition. The competition, which drew record participation, took place Nov. 2 at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair.
 

WestGen says it has completed a land deal. This and its re-branding launch in early October underscores changes being made within the organization, the company says.

DuPont Pioneer is building two new processing towers at its Chatham, Ontario, production location. The $19 million expansion will enable the company to help simplify the planting process for growers by providing integrated refuge hybrids. This production facility will condition, treat and blend seed to integrate refuge products with other high-performing brand products.

Grain farmers Michael Kalisvaart and his wife, Karen Jansen of Gibbons, Alberta, along with dairy farmers James and Amanda Kinsman of Berwick, Nova Scotia, are Canada’s 2013 Outstanding Young Farmers (OYF). These latest farm family winners were chosen from seven regional farm couples across Canada at the OYF annual national event held recently in Regina, Saskatchewan.

 
Francois Lefebvre
Genetic Counselor
Yamaska, Quebec
ABS Global Canada Inc.



   

The Pacific Agriculture Show, held at its usual location at the Tradex Centre at Abbotsford airport, has been scheduled for 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Jan- 30-Feb. 1. General admission is $12; seniors and 4-H members are $10, while children under 14 will be admitted free.